My Master Is Tsunade

My Master Is Tsunade

Over the past two days, something major had happened in Hidden Leaf Village.

—Tsunade, the only remaining bloodline of the Senju Clan and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, had taken a new disciple.

And that disciple was Hyuga Yuto, the recently famous "Hyuga's Jade"!

Civilians and ordinary shinobi did not think too deeply about it. They were simply happy. After all, Lady Tsunade had returned to Hidden Leaf Village to teach the younger generation, which was ultimately a good thing. It meant the village's legacy would continue in an orderly fashion, and perhaps another powerful figure would emerge in the future.

But those who knew even a little about the village's darker side found it somewhat surprising. The Three Sannin had not taken disciples in a long time. Now Tsunade-hime had suddenly returned to the village with great fanfare and accepted a Hyuga boy as her disciple. Had the village higher-ups begun to waver in their policy of suppressing the ninja clans, or perhaps...

Openly and in secret, the name "Hyuga Yuto" appeared in many people's conversations.

At the very least, the nickname Hyuga's Jade had become known in every household throughout Hidden Leaf Village.

Hyuga Yuto, whose reputation had soared, was currently within the Senju Clan Grounds.

He sat kneeling on a tatami mat, dressed in a loose white robe. His smooth long hair was tied at the ends with a red cord, making him look gentle, composed, and handsome.

Tsunade stood before him and tossed over a bundle.

"For you."

"Yes, Teacher Tsunade."

Hyuga Yuto opened the bundle. The contents were simple—just a few sets of clothes.

A trench coat, a vest, a jacket... The materials of these clothes were exceptionally good. Even when Hyuga Yuto exerted some force, he could not tear them apart.

More importantly, each garment bore the Senju Clan crest on its back.

"I bought these from Hidden Cloud Village a long time ago." The blonde woman clicked her tongue in admiration. "Don't be fooled by those brutes who love ninja taijutsu. They can be quite meticulous in certain areas. Especially this kind of specially made fabric for combat—it's among the toughest in the Five Great Nations... Maybe because they train taijutsu so diligently, they need clothes that can withstand more wear and tear?"

"You're only twelve. Though you're developing quite well, you're still not fully grown. I searched for a long time before finding clothes that fit you. Once you grow up, we'll prepare new ones."

For some reason, Hyuga Yuto felt that Tsunade's tone was a little downcast when she said this. After thinking it over, the branch family boy guessed why—she had probably remembered her younger brother who had died young. Or perhaps these clothes had belonged to Senju Nawaki?

Hyuga Yuto sighed inwardly and chose a green overcoat to wear. Though he preferred red, in Hidden Leaf Village, white robes with red trim or red robes with white trim were exclusive to the Hokage. Since he was already wearing the Hyuga Clan's white kimono, he had to be careful.

"Mm, very handsome." Tsunade patted Hyuga Yuto's shoulder in satisfaction. "How have the past few days felt?"

"Very good." Hyuga Yuto spoke with complete sincerity. "More people in the village recognize me now. Though I know most of them don't truly acknowledge me—they only know me because of the Forest of Senju and your reputation, Teacher—it still feels satisfying. The feeling of being trusted, of being anticipated... is intoxicating."

"As disciples of the three of us, you'll naturally bear that kind of attention. Ever since that guy taught Minato Namikaze, the village has been full of expectations for our disciples."

"I won't disappoint you, Teacher."

"Oh? Are you confident you can surpass Minato Namikaze?"

"...To be honest, not at all. Lord Minato is a true genius. I'm far inferior to him."

"Yes, someone who has mastered the Flying Thunder God is that terrifying. So..." Tsunade smiled as she rubbed Hyuga Yuto's head. "So just be yourself. Don't worry about anyone else."

Hyuga Yuto suddenly wanted to laugh—the Senju Clan's chakra was brimming with vitality and warm as sunlight, and Tsunade was standing with her back to the sun. It gave Yuto a strange feeling, as though a big golden retriever were petting him...

Don't be rude, Yuto. The woman in front of you just gave you new clothes. Yuto took a deep breath and sat properly.

"Don't be nervous, Yuto." Tsunade withdrew her hand and looked seriously at her disciple. "Tell me, what are your goals? Don't say something like becoming Hokage. That's a dream, something that takes far too long to achieve. In the short term, is there anything you want to do?"

Hyuga Yuto thought for a while before answering carefully.

"Teacher, I know that war is about to begin. More and more intelligence tells me that the world is brewing drastic changes. Hidden Leaf Village, Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Mist Village... It seems that every ninja village is gathering something."

"As a shinobi of Hidden Leaf Village, a member of the Hyuga Clan, and a disciple of one of the Three Sannin, I have no reason not to go to the battlefield."

"Therefore, my only thought right now is to protect my companions in the village during the war. Even if I have to stake this life and these eyes, I will not retreat!"

Tsunade was slightly stunned. Suddenly, she recalled what her teacher had said the night before last: "That child can think from a higher position... What he sees is not limited to one corner of the Hyuga Clan."

A twelve-year-old child could already see the turbulent changes stirring in the world?

Tsunade sighed and said softly, "If you want to protect your companions, you need to accomplish two things... First, you must at least gain a basic understanding of medical ninjutsu. Second, you must possess the strength to fight your enemies."

She raised her head and looked out the window. The vast Senju Clan Grounds were empty, without a single person in sight. In fact, only she and Hyuga Yuto were in the Senju Clan Grounds at this moment.

"I'm sure you know that the Forest of Senju's strongest power was the bloodline limit, Wood Release. But unfortunately, no one in this world, myself included, possesses that power anymore... I can't teach you the Senju Clan's secret arts. All I can give you is what I have comprehended myself."

"Anything Teacher Tsunade teaches must naturally be the best."

"You really know how to flatter people... As expected, men are cutest when they're young." Tsunade smiled. "For the next period of time, I'll teach you the basics of medical knowledge, as well as several ninjutsu I'm skilled in. I'll adjust the pace of your training according to your progress."

She stroked her chin and thought carefully.

"I watched your battle that night. You have excellent physical conditions, and your basics in the Three Body Techniques are very solid. That ninjutsu you developed yourself also has quite a bit of potential. Combined with Monster Strength, it would probably be a pretty good..."

As she spoke, the blonde woman suddenly slapped her thigh hard.

"Forget it. What's the point of saying all this? We're both more taijutsu-oriented types. I won't know what kind of training suits you until I understand you more deeply."

She took out a cord and tied up her hair, then pulled out a bell and hung it from her waist.

Hyuga Yuto immediately understood what she intended to do—the traditional icebreaker game between masters and disciples in Hidden Leaf Village.

"Come on, Yuto." The blonde woman cracked her knuckles, like a valkyrie standing tall and proud. "The location is limited to the back mountain of the Senju Clan Grounds."

"From now until sunset, you have half a day to take my bell."

(End of Chapter)